4x4 Adventure and Sandboarding (Sand Dunes Paoay, Ilocos Norte.)

﻿

The Paoay sand dunes is a 88km of pure sand
which is adjacent to Suba Beach. This place is a protected area that was
furnished with landscapes
creating a stunning view of creative nature. It has been a
shooting ground of some Hollywood and local movies such as Ang Panday, Mad Max
and Born on the Fourth of July. Due to the nice sand landscape this place
attracts a lot of sandboarders and thrill riders and us. Our journey in Ilocos
starts here.

﻿

Unlike many others, this isn’t the main reason why I’m dying to visit Ilocos. But I wanted to try it – I love watching off-road racing and I want to experience sandboarding. But everything changes right when we were approaching the area. The place is so clean, we notice some signboards reminding of their ‘no littering’ rule – and it deed work.

﻿

We first took a 4x4 ride to roam around and enjoy the view of the Sandunes and Suba Beach. We went on easy trails and slowly to some exciting and deep ones. We stopped a lot for pictorial and sightseeing. The ride itself was refreshing since we started 6:30AM to avoid the burning heat of the sun on noon time.After the smooth 4x4 ride we then proceed
to the allotted area for sandboarding – it is a sport that uses skimboard to
slide down the sand slope. We went to the area for beginners since there is also
another part for the pro which has a 20 feet slope with some jump of points that demands of expertise on balance.

At first I was so nervous and afraid that I
might fall flat on my face or worst tumble down but desire gives you limitless
experience so I did my first try (bahala-na-si-batman-mode). I fell my ass on
the sand gracefully on the middle of the trail but it was fun and fine – no
wounds and sprains what so ever, same goes with my sisters and Jac. I have
tried it more than a dozen of times because the moment that you learn to
balance and slide smoothly down without falling is a very nice experience
andwill make you crave for a deeper
slopes.

When the times up and we’re exhausted and hungry
we took the ride back and glanced happily to the horizon from
where we played watching live memories that makes those footsteps in the area.

Little that we know another hard trail is ahead of us; seriously? A harder trail for a weakened knees… can I say wtf? But
no we got to do this – so when they said hold on tight we did and the four
wheel car drop to what is seems to be a 170° angle and with all the force in
just a glimpse of our eyes climb up to an adjacent slope with same angle. This
kneel me down making me bump on a bolt of a skimboard in front of me. This makes me wounded, but feeling alive than
ever. What a wonderful way to start the day!.

PS: Sandunes is absolutely a highlight of
Ilocos so don’t dare miss this.

Our one hour of 4x4 truck costs P2,500,
inclusive of use truck, skimboard and the sandboadring tutorial. We have Glenn Tolintino as our
contact and guide for this Sandunes adventure.Kuya Gleen - taking alot of photos ;) Check my facebook for more thrilling photos.

Posts you may be interested in:

Christeen is a 20 something Filipina, a student of life and a corporate employee who travels as she possibly can. Off from work, she's into crafting, fashion designing, taking photos, practicing yoga and telling stories from her journeys.